FSG Top Performers (Palm Beach)

The weather couldn’t be more perfect for the Future Stars Game Palm Beach Tryouts at Merritt Park. As history has shown over time the FSG brand has had the distinct pleasure of having some of College Footballs brightest stars once play in the FSG game. I mean if you want to know who the top Middle school football players are in the state Florida & Georgia, look no further than the Future Stars Game. It starts with Tryouts thru out the entire state of Florida & Georgia. Not just any tryout, a grueling process of competition from 40-yard dashes to shuttles, then to 1 on 1’s my personal favorite. As Director of Florida would say “Doesn’t matter what you did with your team or what your film looks like”. It matters what you do that day at tryouts, because only the best will earn MVP honors and a spot.

There isn’t a better game which has the amount of talent on display as the Future Stars Game. I mean the proof is in the pudding just check the numbers on former FSG Alumni’s and scholarships you will find out this game identifies tomorrows stars. This isn’t about who can afford it or who you know, this is about earning it and competing for that spot. That very reason is why the FSG brand is the top Middle school game for the most talented players in Florida & Georgia. Now with that being said, let me take you on a recap of Palm Beach FSG Tryout with my list of Top Performers let’s get it.

FSG (Palm Beach) Top Performers

Name: Hardley Gilmore

Position: Athlete 6th Grade MVP

Class: 2025

Team: Royal Palm Beach Wildcats

The Skinny:

6th grade MVP Hardley Gilmore is going into his 2nd year competing for a spot on Team Florida. Yes, folks Gilmore made FSG team Florida as a 5th grader which is a rare feat and speaks volumes on this young mans talent level. The ultimate competitor Gilmore showed he doesn’t back down from a challenge, he stayed in receivers hip pocket during 1 on 1’s winning most of his reps. Also, not to be taking lightly is Gilmores bread & butter his playmaking ability, during 1 on 1’s he showed off his speed and reliable hands. Consistency and a pitbull mentality earned GilmoreMVP honors.

Name: Denzel Johnson

Position: Athlete

Class: 2024 7th Grade MVP

Team: Miami Gardens Ravens

The Skinny:

I remember being put on notice about Denzel Johnson talent level prior to the 2018 season. A breakout season some might say about Denzel’s 2018 season being the secret weapon that thrived on a loaded team. Different circumstances when you’re trying out to represent Florida’s best Middle School players. FSG happened to be the place Johnson stock shot thru the roof with a statement performance. 7th grade Mvp honors I might add in a tight race, but Johnson’s versatility and lockdown coverage was the difference. While Johnson is a big play offensive threat, he showed he is able to reach top speed almost immediately, which helps to cut down on receiver separation. This kid showed excellent instincts breaking up 4 passes during 1 on 1’s. Johnson came away from FSG Tryouts as argubly one of the top prospects in his class.

Name: Richard Young

Position: RB/DB

Class: 2023 8th Grade MVP

Team: Lehigh Raiders

The Skinny:

The reigning 3-time FSG alumni looking to make the team for the 4th straight year made it official earning MVP honors. Richard Young came out the gate with a bang running a sizzling 4.51 twice in the 40-yard dash. This two sport phenom has no issue what so ever with competing against anyone, he makes a habit of showing he is the best. Which he did by lining up as a DB to start 1 on 1’s off, let me just say the kid only gave up one completed pass physicality & speed was the name of the game. But the moment that stuck out to me with Young was him getting called out by fellow 8th grader JashonBenjamin. While Benjamin provided a much needed challenge, he really just seem to wake the beast in Young in which this kids full arsenal was on display. Like most great players he took things up a couple more notches just so their wasn't any doubt who was the Alpha Dog. That very same level is what Young kicked in winning 5 out of 8 reps alone versus Jashon never looking back on his way to collecting the MVP.

Name: Knijeah Harris

Position: OL

Class: 2023

Team: Jensen Beach Falcons

The Skinny:

When it comes to fundamentals & technique the Jensen Beach Falcons program has built it’s rich tradition on that. A glowing reflection of that was Knijeah Harris the mild mannered gentle giant seemed to be so calm & grounded. Yet, football has a strange way of turning the most gentle being into a animal when it’s between the lines. Harris happens to be the prime example of that dominating defensive linemen in 1 on 1’s imposing his will, if you don’t blow that whistle it’s a chance Harris will take his opponent to the parking lot. But the rep of the day was when Harris got a hold of a defender then pancaked him rather violently driving him into the ground. The run away OL MVP Harris showed off his advanced training by finishing his blocks in dramatic fashion.

Name: Jeremiah Smith

Position: WR

Class:2024

Team: Miami Gardens Ravens

The Skinny:

For as long as I can remember Jeremiah Smith has been a premier playmaker in his age group. Doesn’t matter where you put this kid he just has a knack for making things happen Mr. Johnny on the spot. Smith has been sharpening his skillset focused on mastering the Slot Receiver position. Let me say this now if Sunday is any indication on what is instore for Smith lookout DB’s, this playmaker is impressive in the art of separation. 1 on1’s are always the measuring stick in combine settings, it really reveals who is about that action and who isn’t. Smith had DB’s on skates with his double moves DB's laying in wake of his next move defenseless, because one aggressive move and this kid will be wide open. Now even more impressive was how he toyed with defenders rather it was off coverage or press. A confident Smith is rounding into a deadly threat from that slot receiver position 2019 buckle your seat belt it's going to be a bumpy ride.

Name: Jashon Benjamin

Position: Athlete

Class: 2023

Team: Pahokee Blue Devils

The Skinny:

When you’re competing in a tryout setting you are bound to see a Darkhorse that comes out of nowhere. Sunday that Darkhorse was none other than Jashon Benjamin a kid I was told made the team last year but didn’t make the trip. Well Sunday was his coming out party from start to finish. The thing that impressed me the most about Jashon is his competitive nature. Benjamin started things out running a 4.9 in the 40-yard dash putting up a stellar shuttle time as well. But let me skip to the part that made this kid a Top Performer. While matching up versus the big bad wolf Richard Young, Benjamin used Young’s aggression against him hitting him with a double move that sent the crowd into a frenzy as he broke wide open for the catch. Fearing not a soul Benjamin called Young out to show it wasn’t a fluke. The two talented phenoms battled Benjamin never backed down, in fact everybody other than (Young)Benjamin had his way with. While this kid didn’t win MVP honors but he showed he was deserving of it welcoming all the smoke.

Name: Ryan Mack

Position: DB

Class: 2024

Team: Miami Garden Ravens

The Skinny:

The consummate professional is my definition of Ryan Mack kid always reminded me of Ed Reed. He just always seem to be at the right place at the right time with impeccable timing, making the clutch plays when his team needed him the most. Which is a telling sign of a prospect with a high Football Iq considering he is the Coaches son so that is no surprise. But what was a surprise is how much of a natural Mack looked at Corner considering he plays the safety position. During 1 on 1’s Mack showed off his press coverage skills bullying Receivers at the line of scrimmage some not even getting off the line. Mack displays good reactive quickness. He has the ability to not only re-direct in space but can click and close. You got to love any kid that is passionate about the game & his craft with all the makings of an elite prospect eager to prove it Mack is slowly making a name for himself.

Name: Adrian Stone

Position: DL/OL

Class: 2024

Team: Dunbar Stingrays

The Skinny:

Full of energy & eager to please is a recipe for a success once you blind talent in the mix. Adrian Stone is all the above including fearless, judging by Stone’s performance Sunday this kid has to command a double team. Stone extremely powerful and quite difficult to block because he plays with great leverage. There is more to his game, of course, but that's essentially it: blockers cannot move him off his mark. During 1 on 1’s Stone was very large in the lower half, with a wide base, and very strong legs and hips driving linemen into the backfield with ease. All of those attributes helped Stone shine the brightest versus an older 8th grader he showed powerful hands driving the lineman into the cones almost knocking him off his feet. With so much more football ahead of him this kid with a sparkling personality is on the right track to being a problem on the next level.

Name: Laviris Singleton

Position: RB/DB

Class: 2024

Team: Fellowship Lions

The Skinny:

I ask myself this all the time “What is in the water in the 239?” For those who aren’t familiar with the area code it’s Fort Myers. Richard Young is a hard act to follow, but Laviris Singleton gave us a glimpse of what he is capable of, let’s just say put him in that group of Florida’s best. Not much of a talker more of a doer Singleton ran a blistering 4.75 in the 40-yard dash. With that much speed you think this kid would be itching to line up at receiver, but Singleton had other plans which was showing off his coverage skills. Singleton is a physical man-to-man cover cornerback. He was bigger than most of his competition, and he knows how to use his power to dominate them. A kid Singleton’s size should not be able to turn and run like he can with the smoothness that he shows. His top-end speed is also quite good. Singleton has explosive vertical skills, which paired with his size and length, make him a big asset as he showed in 1 on 1’s. Even lining up at receiver it seemed little anyone could do to stay in front of him, the MVP race was among the tightest on the day. Singleton may have come up short on MVP honors but he came up big as a prospect.

Name: Davion “Bullet” Gause

Position: RB/ATH

Class: 2024

Team: Miami Gardens Ravens

The Skinny:

The biggest misconception one can make about Davion "Bullet" Gause is he is a power-back. Which couldn't be nothing further from the truth, how about trying complete back or all-around athlete when describing this battle tested warrior. You would think in this setting Bullet might not do his best. But guess what? You’re wrong again. There is nothing this phenom can’t do. During 1 on 1’s Gause showed off his route running skills running a post corner sticking his foot in the dirt to create separation on his break, showing off those soft hands as he completed the catch. On another rep he beat the DB off the line with a subtle move breaking wide open on the slant. The other part of his game that needs to be commended is the physicality he plays defense with, Gause made every receiver work to get off the line some he even drove backwards. With all that said it's hard not to argue that this kid has earned the right to be called the best player in the Class of 2024, I mean his resume does speak for itself.

Name: Artravous Pearson

Position: WR

Class: 2025

Team: Sebring Middle

The Skinny:

This young man showed up to the party late, but boy oh boy did he make up for lost time. Artravous Pearson has the size, speed & talent to make some noise for Team Florida. To my surprise Pearson has very good body control for such a big-framed kid. On offense this attribute is shown with his ability to contort his frame to adjust to off-target throws, which he did in 1 on 1’s. He also exhibits plus level suddenness when executing double moves as a receiver, able to turn his hips to sell a sharp cut before accelerating vertically. Pearson had some pretty impressive 1 on 1 reps, which has me really high on him moving forward. Very advanced for his age Pearson seems to be headed in the right direction looking forward to his buzz continuing to grow as he develops.

Name: Tyler Aronson

Position: QB

Class: 2024

Team: Palm Beach Gardens Gators

The Skinny:

Looks may be deceiving and from the looks of it, I thought Tyler Aronson was just a typical Pocket passer. Well after testing at FSGAronson proves to be faster than I thought and has a lot more wiggle. Tyler is a student of the game and has grown up around it his whole life being his father is a coach. So, there’s nothing you can throw his way he isn’t familiar with. So here comes FSG testing players memory & play recognition running simple plays and giving audible calls, which the Quarterbacks had to remember to make the right play call. A test Tyler passed with flying colors never missing a beat. I was impressed with Aronson starting strong and getting into rhythm early. But if you asked me the best part of the day was watching Aronson throw and how the ball pops off his hand, even against the wind he threw with velocity and was laser sharp. Now with rave reviews it’s safe to say Team Florida might have the two top signal callers in the country on the same team.

Name: C.J Bailey

Position: QB

Class: 2024

Team: Miami Gardens Ravens

The Skinny:

What do you throw at a kid that has most likely seen it all with two National Titles under his belt in one season? I’d tell you what FSG testing process something C.J Bailey welcomed with a smile. Bailey seem to shine the brightest during throwing portion of the tryouts. What I noticed when we got into the 1 on 1 sessions is when he needs some extra velocity, he can push off his back foot and flashes some pretty good arm strength, as well as the ability to throw the ball with touch. With his accuracy he can place the ball on the correct shoulder to allow his receivers to seamlessly get upfield and make yards after the catch. Far from a streaky passer but let’s just say when Bailey is in the zone there aren’t many kids his age pinpoint accurate as he is. Super excited with the talent level at the Quarterback position for Team Florida there is going to be some pretty happy receivers.